Edward Garver, director of the Lunar Federal Centrum of Security and Law Enforcement, accuses van Rijn. When Adzel attacked the Serendipity castle, local police were:
"'...already preoccupied with a riot - a brawl, at least - among men of yours, van Rijn, at a warehouse of yours. Don't tell me that was coincidence!'
"'But it was,' van Rijn said. 'Ask them.'" (p. 411)
Ask them, God save the mark! Is van Rijn lying? Not really. A lie is intended to deceive. Both men know that there was no coincidence but also that van Rijn must cover himself legally. As a trade unionist, I was instructed, "Never admit to anything!"
Van Rijn turns puce and sputters. This is an act. Garver turns livid. This is not. Van Rijn holds all the cards but, fortunately, is well-intentioned unlike some other Polesotechnic League merchants.
(Incidentally, Falkayn, rescued on the Moon, is briefly exposed to vacuum but suffers no harm. I was surprised to read an Arthur C. Clarke story where some men crossed between spaceships without spacesuits. They did not explode as I had been told that they would.)
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I remember that incident as well. Frankly, I dislike Edward Garver, and MIRKHEIM makes it very plain, later on, why I dislike him and his ideas. Garver should have stayed a policeman and not become a politician.
Ad astra! Sean
Yup, no exploding in vacuum. It'll still -kill- you, but by tissue damage to your lungs and asphyxiation, mostly.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
But it's nothing I would WANT to endure, even for a second!
Ad astra! Sean
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